Aircraft Mechanic training programs & pay
Average pay $84,740 (all experience levels); median $79,870; top 10% earn over $128,890. Aircraft mechanics and service technicians inspect, repair and overhaul airframes, engines and systems on airliners, cargo planes, helicopters and business jets. Most train at an FAA-certificated aviation maintenance school and then earn an FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate.
- $84,740Average pay (U.S., all experience levels)
- $48,780Entry-level / bottom 10%
- $79,870Median pay (U.S.)
- $128,890Top 10% earn over
138,090 jobs nationwide · 499 listed programs in 48 states. Average = BLS mean across all experience levels, not starting pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. O*NET 49-3011.00.
Highest-paying states (BLS median)
BLS wage data
What aircraft mechanics earn
As of the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15, aircraft mechanics in the United States earned an average (mean) of $84,740 a year across all experience levels, with a median of $79,870; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $48,780 and the top 10% earned more than $128,890.
Annual wages for Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians (SOC 49-3011) from the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. It is in our Average pay $65k+ (all experience levels) group: the national average (mean, all experience levels) is $84,740; the median is $79,870 and the entry-level / bottom 10% figure is $48,780.
| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $48,780 | $62,630 | $79,870 | $99,130 | $128,890 | $84,740 | 138,090 |
Training & tuition
What training costs
Tuition comes only from published College Scorecard figures. Apprenticeship sponsors do not publish tuition in federal files, so they show “Contact program.”
| Program group | Lowest | Middle | Highest | What the figure is |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schools with published tuition (494) | $970 | $4,836 | $50,950 | College Scorecard annual tuition & fees (in-state low end; out-of-state high end where they differ) |
Occupation profile
| O*NET-SOC code | 49-3011.00 |
|---|---|
| O*NET title | Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians |
| BLS SOC | 49-3011 |
| Job zone | Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed |
| Sample job titles | Aircraft Maintainer, Aircraft Maintenance Technician (Aircraft Maintenance Tech), Aircraft Mechanic, Aircraft Restorer, Aircraft Service Technician (Aircraft Service Tech), Aircraft Technician (Aircraft Tech) |
Typical tasks (O*NET)
- Inspect completed work to certify that maintenance meets standards and that aircraft are ready for operation.
- Read and interpret maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and other specifications to determine the feasibility and method of repairing or replacing malfunctioning or damaged components.
- Maintain repair logs, documenting all preventive and corrective aircraft maintenance.
- Examine and inspect aircraft components, including landing gear, hydraulic systems, and deicers to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.
- Conduct routine and special inspections as required by regulations.
Programs
Featured aircraft mechanic programs
12 of 499 listed programs, schools with published tuition first. Pick a state below for the full list.
| Program / provider | Location | Type | Graduates 2023-24 | Tuition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo College Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Amarillo, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 14 | $2,136–$4,704 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| Amarillo College Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Amarillo, TX | Associate degree | 7 | $2,136–$4,704 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| Amarillo College Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Amarillo, TX | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 0 | $2,136–$4,704 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| Amarillo College Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician | Amarillo, TX | Certificate (1-2 years) | 14 | $2,136–$4,704 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0608 |
| Andrews University Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Berrien Springs, MI | Certificate (1-2 years) | 0 | $36,454 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| Antelope Valley Community College District Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Lancaster, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 7 | $1,124–$9,548 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| Antelope Valley Community College District Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Lancaster, CA | Associate degree | 111 | $1,124–$9,548 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| Antelope Valley Community College District Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology/Technician | Lancaster, CA | Certificate (12 weeks to 1 year) | 352 | $1,124–$9,548 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0607 |
| Antelope Valley Community College District Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician | Lancaster, CA | Certificate (1-2 years) | 11 | $1,124–$9,548 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0608 |
| Antelope Valley Community College District Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician | Lancaster, CA | Associate degree | 9 | $1,124–$9,548 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0608 |
| Arkansas Northeastern College Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician | Blytheville, AR | Certificate (1-2 years) | 4 | $2,960–$4,760 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0608 |
| Arkansas Northeastern College Aircraft Powerplant Technology/Technician | Blytheville, AR | Associate degree | 0 | $2,960–$4,760 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0608 |
By state
Aircraft Mechanic pay and programs by state
Highest state medians:
| State | Listed programs | Median pay | 90th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 15 | $82,260 | $98,440 | 4,310 |
| Alaska | 5 | $91,150 | $122,880 | 1,470 |
| Arizona | 11 | $75,300 | $121,480 | 5,670 |
| Arkansas | 14 | $65,420 | $78,690 | 720 |
| California | 85 | $86,100 | $116,690 | 12,590 |
| Colorado | 4 | $82,080 | $130,160 | 2,690 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $96,830 | $127,050 | 1,430 |
| Delaware | 4 | $83,550 | $116,370 | 240 |
| Florida | 34 | $76,940 | $130,190 | 14,850 |
| Georgia | 40 | $75,640 | $133,250 | 6,720 |
| Guam | 0 | $62,760 | $92,880 | 80 |
| Hawaii | 2 | $90,830 | $130,560 | 1,150 |
| Idaho | 5 | $61,250 | $98,260 | 600 |
| Illinois | 12 | $81,680 | $130,950 | 3,370 |
| Indiana | 6 | $63,400 | $90,060 | 1,500 |
| Iowa | 9 | $69,890 | $93,130 | 330 |
| Kansas | 7 | $80,270 | $98,070 | 1,440 |
| Kentucky | 19 | $67,920 | $156,910 | 1,680 |
| Louisiana | 12 | $79,780 | $107,830 | 1,150 |
| Maine | 1 | $67,890 | $118,500 | 190 |
| Maryland | 2 | $100,500 | $121,100 | 1,070 |
| Massachusetts | 5 | $93,040 | $133,400 | 1,410 |
| Michigan | 12 | $74,900 | $118,100 | 3,380 |
| Minnesota | 8 | $81,980 | $133,020 | 2,390 |
| Mississippi | 3 | $74,880 | $88,340 | 1,360 |
| Missouri | 4 | $71,470 | $97,160 | 1,700 |
| Montana | 3 | $64,170 | $97,200 | 310 |
| Nebraska | 3 | $64,020 | $98,020 | 410 |
| Nevada | 2 | $94,890 | $113,290 | 2,570 |
| New Hampshire | 2 | $79,610 | $99,910 | 190 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $105,370 | $133,790 | 1,900 |
| New Mexico | 8 | $84,440 | $99,020 | 860 |
| New York | 7 | $102,800 | $240,310 | 4,300 |
| North Carolina | 11 | $76,980 | $112,050 | 4,700 |
| North Dakota | 0 | $77,740 | $99,170 | 200 |
| Ohio | 9 | $80,570 | $132,850 | 2,840 |
| Oklahoma | 15 | $74,390 | $108,770 | 8,550 |
| Oregon | 9 | $82,850 | $135,770 | 1,080 |
| Pennsylvania | 5 | $78,000 | $136,510 | 2,080 |
| Puerto Rico | 3 | $45,100 | $87,730 | 610 |
| Rhode Island | 0 | $70,720 | $96,530 | 120 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $75,160 | $84,600 | 1,660 |
| South Dakota | 2 | $75,750 | $89,360 | 150 |
| Tennessee | 10 | $81,040 | $167,410 | 4,670 |
| Texas | 36 | $84,440 | $122,180 | 16,850 |
| Utah | 3 | $70,160 | $104,550 | 2,080 |
| Vermont | 1 | $76,370 | $98,810 | 160 |
| Virginia | 10 | $82,200 | $125,170 | 2,260 |
| Washington | 29 | $98,980 | $117,740 | 4,480 |
| West Virginia | 3 | $45,470 | $78,710 | 590 |
| Wisconsin | 4 | $73,930 | $99,850 | 1,270 |
| Wyoming | 0 | $56,680 | $99,540 | 340 |
Related resources
Keep researching
Hand-picked pages on our sister sites.
FAQ
Aircraft Mechanic pay and training: quick answers
How much do aircraft mechanics make?
As of the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15, aircraft mechanics in the United States earned an average (mean) of $84,740 a year across all experience levels, with a median of $79,870; the entry-level / bottom 10% figure (10th percentile) was $48,780 and the top 10% earned more than $128,890.
What is entry-level pay for aircraft mechanics?
BLS does not publish a starting wage. The closest federal figure is the 10th percentile, which we label entry-level / bottom 10%: $48,780 a year nationally in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15. The median is $79,870.
Which states pay aircraft mechanics the most?
By BLS average (mean) annual wage, the top states are New York ($137,860), New Jersey ($110,880), Massachusetts ($96,210), in the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.
How many aircraft mechanic training programs are listed?
We list 499 in 48 states: 499 school programs from the NCES IPEDS 2023-24 completions file (10,861 graduates that year). Listings are matched from public files and are not endorsements.
How much does aircraft mechanic training cost?
For the 494 listed schools with published College Scorecard tuition and fees, the annual figure ranges from $970 to $50,950 (middle $4,836). Registered apprenticeships are usually paid jobs, and the DOL file does not list tuition.
Sources
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 (news release USDL-26-0725; data tables). Cross-checked against the BLS Public Data API on 2026-11-03.
- Occupation: O*NET OnLine, 49-3011.00 Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians, retrieved 2026-11-03 (CC BY 4.0).
- Apprenticeship sponsors: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship: partner sponsors file, retrieved 2026-10-29 (Partner Finder).
- Schools & graduates: U.S. Department of Education, NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024_A) and Institutional Characteristics (HD2024), award year 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code (completions file; CIP-SOC crosswalk).
- Tuition: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts: Institution + Field of Study), data updated 2026-10-15, matched by IPEDS unit ID (source).
Program listings are matched from public files by occupation code or organization name; they are not endorsements and we have not visited or tested any program. Confirm schedules, entry requirements and costs with the program. Compiled by the HighPayingTrades team; last refreshed 2026-11-03.